Chapter 1:

"Where were you earlier?" asked Harry and Ron in Unison.

"We waited for you in the common room for twenty minutes!" yelled Ron.

What are you doing coming down to breakfast so early in the morning? It's barely 7:30 and it looks like you're already done eating," added Harry.

"I came down for breakfast without you just like I do every morning." replied Hermione with a hint of aggravation in her voice. "Why were you waiting for me anyway?"

"Sorry, we promise not to be courteous ever again," replied Ron sarcastically.

"Ron, you know I didn't mean it that way. It's just, you've never waited for me before. I didn't expect you to do so this morning."

"Whatever," said Harry as he took the empty seat next to Hermione and began to serve himself some bacon. "What time did you come down anyway?"

"6:45: answered Hermione guiltily. "I didn't sleep well so at 5:00 I gave up trying and went to the library. Unfortunately it was closed so I returned to the common room and sat. At 6:45 I got bored so I came downstairs.:

"What the hell were you thinking coming down at bloody 6:45 in the morning?"

"I...I don't know!" she stammered. "See you in class," she said as she marched off.

"Wow," said Ron. "She must be having a really bad day!" On this rare occasion, Ron's assumption was correct.

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As Hermione ran back to the common room she thought about the statement Ron had just made.

"He doesn't know the half of it ," she said to herself as her bag ripped leaving her books strewn all over the hallway.

While picking up her books, Hermione thought about her bad luck that morning. She couldn't sleep, the library was still closed, she was already yelled at by her two best friends, and her bag ripped all before 8:00.

Just as she thought her day couldn't get any worse, she picked up her schedule. How could she forget that on Mondays she had double potions with the Slytherins?

After repairing he bag, and returning all her books to their original places, she hurried back ti her dormitory and cried. Her day had gone horribly so far, and she didn't think she could continue knowing it was just going to get worse.

She stayed in the common room until 8:45 when she realized that she would be late to potions if she didn't hurry. She ran down to Snape's dungeon quickly hoping she wouldn't meet anybody along the way.

When Hermione turned the corner, she again realized her luck wasn't turning around anytime soon (or at least not until potions was over). Malfoy, and all his Slytherin "friends" were waiting for her at the entrance to Snape's classroom.

"Here comes the Mudblood!" Draco hollered with more than just a hint of malice in his voice. "What are you doing without Scarhead ans Weasel?" Draco said in a mocking tone raising his wand at the defenseless Gryffindor. Never had Hermione wanted to see her potions master more.

She remained silent hoping that if he wasn't provoked, maybe the blond Slytherin would stop bothering her. Fat chance. Just as Malfoy Started the incantation, Professor Snape (oily hair and all), rounded the corner

"why is your wand raised Mr. Malfoy?" Snape questioned. "Never mind, all of you get to your seats. We're starting a new project today so I will need to get some supplies from my private stores. I expect all of you to be ready at your seats with your books open when I return."

Hermione sat down in her usual spot between Harry and Ron (who had arrived by that point) in the back row. Both of her friends immediately noticed something was wrong. Before they had the opportunity to ask, Snape returned in his usual bad mood.

"As I said before, we will be starting a new project today, so I will be giving out partners. As I write the ingredients out on the board I'd like you to pair up."

Once he had finished his speech, Snape pulled a list out of his desk. "Everyone will be paired with someone from the opposite house," said Snape as he began reading the list. "Thomas and Crabbe," One down thought Hermione. Snape continued, "Patil and Zabini, Potter and Parkinson," I feel bad for him continued Hermione but was interrupted by the calling of her name. "Granger and Malfoy," Damn it!

The list finished, many students showed signs of disgust. Hermione gathered her things because she knew Draco wasn't going o, and if she didn't do it quickly he'd be in a bitchier mood than usual (if that was at all possible).